I’m asked about this a lot, so this is what I usually say first.

Note to people starting their own business…

It’s exciting, think hard, then go for it…

Thoroughly research and write a great business plan (there are plenty of good precedents online – government sites, and Harvard as well etc.).

Get as much advice as you feel you need.  Just remember that much of what they say will be wrong, may be too negative and may not fit what you’re trying to do…

You have an incredible brain, you are good at figuring things out, so I’d suggest work on your business plan, do your own research and go for it – keep adjusting as you need to, but don’t worry about trying to do the ‘right thing’ – there is no ‘right thing.

By the way – in my opinion, the best resource in the world for people starting a business – http://steveblank.com/ (see in particular his slideshare presentations on business model mapping, etc.)

I think rework and small giants are also brilliant resources – check them out too.

There’s more, but that’s a good start…

[image credit: Alex Osterwalder]